U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) lost her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, with Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) winning the internal party vote 34-27, according to Axios.
The ranking member role would have given Ocasio-Cortez a prominent platform to influence federal oversight and legislation.
While the full Democratic caucus still must confirm the nomination, it rarely overturns the Steering Committee’s pick. Connolly’s seniority and communication skills were cited as key factors in his win.
Ocasio-Cortez’s defeat highlights tensions between party leadership and rising progressive voices. Still, she has pledged to keep pushing for leadership roles. Supporters hope the final caucus vote could shift in her favor.
The contest reflects a generational shift in House leadership, with younger Democrats challenging long-serving lawmakers for key positions.
